Credit: Willful.co
In our fast-paced digital world, how we create wills has changed dramatically. Gone are the days of tedious meetings with lawyers; today, services like Willful are making will writing more accessible and user-friendly. Willful is one of Canada’s top online platforms for will creation, but is it the right fit for your estate planning needs? In this review, we’ll delve into how Willful operates, its standout features, and the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Willful Reviews & Ratings
Willful seems to have a great review profile, as you can see from the following scores acquired from popular 3rd party review sites:
- Google Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (379 reviews)
- Better Business Bureau (BBB): A+ Rating
- TrustPilot Rating: (1,288 reviews)
Overview of Willful
- Website: www.willful.co
- Office locations: Toronto and Montreal
- Service Available in: all Canadian provinces and territories
Willful (www.willful.co) is a Canadian online service that allows you to create legally binding wills and other essential estate planning documents from the comfort of your home. Founded in 2017 by Erin Bury and Kevin Oulds, Willful was born out of their challenges with estate planning following the loss of a loved one. Their mission? To simplify the often daunting process of writing a will, making it affordable and accessible to Canadians everywhere.
The platform offers a user-friendly, step-by-step guide to help create wills, power of attorney documents, and various legal forms crucial for estate planning.
The process is simple: you start by answering a series of questions about your personal and financial situation, and the platform uses your answers to generate a customized will. And because it’s entirely online, you can take your time and fill out your documents without the pressure of a ticking clock or a lawyer’s office atmosphere. Though, of course, legal advice is still advisable for complex situations.
Key Features of Willful
Willful’s will writing interface
Willful boasts several attractive features that make it a go-to choice for online will creation:
User-Friendly Interface
Navigating Willful is a breeze. Its intuitive interface guides you through the will creation process with clear instructions and helpful prompts, so even if it’s your first time, you won’t feel lost.
Customizable Will Templates
The templates offered by Willful cater to various situations, allowing you to personalize your will based on your unique circumstances. Whether you need special provisions for minor children, want to designate multiple beneficiaries, or require guardianship designations, Willful makes it easy to customize your will to suit your needs.
Comprehensive Estate Planning
Beyond wills, Willful provides a suite of essential estate planning documents, including Power of Attorney for Personal Care and Power of Attorney for Property.
Affordable Pricing
Compared to traditional lawyer fees, Willful is a steal. Their pricing ranges from $99 to $249, depending on your needs. This is such a small cost compared to hiring an experienced lawyer who might charge you anywhere from $300 to $1000.
Unlimited Updates
Life is unpredictable, and Willful understands that all your estate plans and other plans can change anytime. The company allows you to make unlimited changes to your will without extra cost, ensuring that your documents remain relevant as the situation changes.
Legally Binding in Canada
Wills made through Willful are legally binding all over Canada. They are printed and signed according to the local law.
Pros of Using Willful
Like everything in this world, Willful also has its pros and cons. Here are its pros.
Convenience and Speed
With Willful, you can craft a will in less than 20 minutes without having to worry about office run-throughs or hiring individual lawyers. You can get a legally binding will at your home in no time.
Cost-Effective
Willful’s pricing structure is pretty amazing; you get budget-friendly packages that are very affordable compared to traditional estate planning.
Unlimited Changes
Unlike traditional will makers, who charge you every time you change your will, at Willful, you can make as many changes as you want without any extra charges.
Comprehensive Coverage
Willful isn’t just about wills. Instead, it can be used for any document that involves end-of-life planning, power of attorney, wills, etc. So, it is a one-stop shop for all your estate planning.
Accessibility Across Canada
Willful is legally valid everywhere in Canada. It doesn’t matter where you live; if the territory is in Canada, then you are all set.
Cons of Using Willful
Willful also comes with its limitations. Here are a few of them:
Not Ideal for Complex Estates
If your estate involves complex tax planning, international assets, or special trusts, Willful may not cover all your needs. In such cases, consulting an estate lawyer with specialized expertise could be beneficial.
No Personalized Legal Advice
While Willful offers a comprehensive will-writing service, it doesn’t provide personalized legal advice. If you have specific concerns about your estate or need in-depth guidance, seeking a lawyer’s expertise is recommended.
Witnessing and Storage Requirements
Although Willful allows you to create your will online, you still need to print, sign, and have it witnessed by two individuals who aren’t beneficiaries. This step is essential for the document to be legally binding. You’ll also need to ensure safe storage for your will.
Willful Pricing Plans
Willful offers three main pricing plans tailored to different needs:
Essentials Plan ($99): A basic will suitable for individuals who need only to designate beneficiaries and executors.
Premium Plan ($189): This plan includes a will plus powers of attorney for personal care and property, perfect for those wanting comprehensive coverage.
Family Plan ($329): Covering two people, this plan includes everything in the Premium Plan, making it ideal for couples. Plus, it offers unlimited updates.
Customer Reviews and Feedback
Willful has garnered positive user feedback, highlighting its ease of use and affordability.
Google Reviews: Willful boasts a 4.8-star rating based on over 350 reviews. Many users appreciate the step-by-step guidance and the ability to update their documents without extra fees.
Trustpilot Reviews: With a 4.4-star rating, customers commend the convenience of online will creation and the peace of mind it brings.
Final Thoughts: Is Willful Right for You?
If you need a simple and cost-effective way of creating a will and do not want to spend a lot of time searching for a suitable service, Willful. co is a perfect choice for most Canadians. It simplifies the process of writing a will, so you can engage in estate planning without the expensive lawyer fees. For those who have basic requirements to fulfill such as naming beneficiaries or setting up powers of attorney, then Willful is a good fit. However, if your estate is complicated or if you need specific legal advice, it may be best to seek the services of an estate lawyer.
Saqib has a Masters Degree from Wilfrid Laurier University in Ottawa. He has a robust background in accounting and finance. Mohammed started his career three years ago working as an investment analyst at a sell-side firm. He has extensively covered publicly-listed companies using fundamental analysis as the cornerstone of his approach. Mohammed has been published on SeekingAlpha, InvesorPlace, Yahoo! Finance and others.
